News from August 2024
Governor Abbott announces special election for Texas House District 56
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 20, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has announced a special election for Texas House District 56 following the resignation of Representative Charles “Doc” Anderson. The vacancy, entirely within McLennan County, necessitates this election in accordance with Article III, Section 13 of the Texas Constitution and Section 203.002 of the Texas Election Code.
Texas DPS adds fugitive Jose Miguel Zelaya-Ponce to most wanted list
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 20, 2024
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Jose Miguel Zelaya-Ponce to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to Zelaya-Ponce’s arrest. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.
Texas Association of Counties offers Public Information Act training to members
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 20, 2024
In early August, the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) announced that they would be providing training to county officials on the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA).
New Poll: Texans support including religious lessons as part of Texas school curriculum
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 19, 2024
Last week, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released a new poll gauging how Texans feel about the Texas Education Agency’s new open education resources (OER).
Texas leads nation in annual job growth rate
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 18, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott today acknowledged Texas's job growth rate outpacing the national average over the past year, following the release of July employment data. The state also set new records for both the number of employed Texans and the size of its labor force.
Texas Finance Commission approves FY25 budget with increased licensing fees
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 18, 2024
On August 16, 2024, the Finance Commission of Texas approved the Department’s FY25 budget. The budget includes the following licensing and registration fee increases:
TXOGA reports 1,600 boost in July upstream oil and natural gas employment
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 18, 2024
The Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) announced that July saw upstream oil and natural gas employment increase by 1,600 compared to the previous month. The development, citing new data from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), followed an upward revision of June employment, which is now reported to have increased by 1,400 upstream jobs.
56 undocumented migrants arrested in West El Paso
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 17, 2024
Adult migrants from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador were arrested by the Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) earlier this month, according to an August 9 news release from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Healthcare and Education in Texas: A conversation with Representative Mihaela Plesa
By Lone Star Standard reports | Aug 16, 2024
Highlights from our interview with Representative Mihaela Plesa, Democratic state representative for Texas House District 70 (southwest Collin County).
Texas reports new wound botulism cases linked to injection drug use
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 15, 2024
The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported two confirmed and one suspected case of botulism associated with injection drug use since July 30, 2024. Due to the nature of this illness, more cases may occur. Clinicians are advised to follow recommended guidelines and report any suspected cases to their local health department or public health region immediately while the patient is still under their care.
Texas sees significant drop in international homebuying activity
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 15, 2024
The number of residential properties sold in Texas to foreign buyers has declined by about 30%, according to the 2024 Texas REALTORS® International Residential Transactions report. Approximately 6,900 buyers from other countries purchased Texas residential properties from April 2023 to March 2024, down from 9,900 transactions in the same period the previous year.
Texas Association of Counties announces 2024 Best Practices Awards recipients
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 15, 2024
The Texas Association of Counties has announced the recipients of its 2024 County Best Practices Awards. Presented every two years, the awards celebrate innovative county initiatives from across the state.
House Public Education Committee hears testimony on education savings accounts
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 15, 2024
The Texas House Public Education Committee fielded testimony on matters such as vouchers and other education legislation on August 12. The next legislative session will begin in the early part of next year.
Texas Hospital Association reacts to Abbott executive order on illegal immigrants
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 14, 2024
The Texas Hospital Association (THA) has responded to Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order requiring the state’s hospitals to collect and report healthcare costs for illegal immigrants. Abbott, a Republican, issued the executive order on August 8, with the 94-year-old non-profit organization subsequently publishing a statement.
The fight over casinos in Texas to continue
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 14, 2024
Efforts to legalize casinos in Texas have faced challenges in past legislative sessions. In 2023, the Texas House fell eight votes short of advancing a state constitutional amendment to allow eight destination resort casinos
KJZT Family Life donates $4,000 to support Texas agriculture recovery
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 11, 2024
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced a $4,000 contribution to the State of Texas Agricultural Relief (STAR) Fund from KJZT Family Life, a 130-year-old fraternal benefit society. This donation supports Texas farmers and ranchers as they rebuild after disasters like the Panhandle wildfires.
TPWD to host second annual Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Hike in September
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 9, 2024
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is observing National Suicide Prevention Month in September with the Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Hike at 16 Texas State Parks. The annual hike seeks to shed light on suicide, which affects many veterans and their loved ones.
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation maintains online database of revoked licenses
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 9, 2024
In an effort to safeguard Texas consumers, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has compiled a database of revoked licenses. The online list also includes TDLR administrative penalties and individuals who have been issued cease-and-desist orders due to unlicensed activity.
Phelan announces appointments to Texas Sunset Advisory Commission
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 9, 2024
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) has announced a series of appointments to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission earlier this month. Three of the appointees are state representatives.
Governor Abbott appoints Sloan, Jackson to Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 8, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Thomas “Tom” Sloan and Scott Jackson to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority. Their terms will expire on February 1, 2027, and February 1, 2029, respectively. The authority assesses motor vehicle crime in Texas and supports a statewide law enforcement network through grants, auto theft reduction initiatives, education, and public awareness.
